In Australia donor families are provided with support through the National Donor Family Support Service, providing nationally consistent support that is respectful and responsive to the needs to each family. Find out more.

For health professionals working in the organ and tissue donation and transplantation sector, here you will find a range of information on national protocols and guidelines, as well as professional education and training.

There are many ways that you can get involved and raise awareness within your community, your workplace or your family about the life-transforming benefits of organ and tissue donation. If you’re looking for information and resources about organ and tissue donation and transplantation, start your search here for some of the great resources we have available.

Facts and Statistics

Have you decided about organ and tissue donation? The below short video provides a good introduction to organ and tissue donation for transplantation in Australia. It is produced by the Organ and Tissue Authority for public use. We encourage you to view and share this video in your home, workplace and community.

One organ and tissue donor can transform the lives of many people.

Australia is a world leader for successful transplant outcomes.

Around 1,400 people are on Australian organ transplant waiting lists at any time.

To lift donation rates the Australian Government, with State and Territory Governments, has implemented a national reform program, 'A World's Best Practice Approach to Organ and Tissue Donation for Transplantation'.

The national reform program includes actions to increase clinical capacity and capability and to increase community engagement and awareness in relation to organ and tissue donation.

The Australian Government funds dedicated doctors and nurses in hospitals to work specifically on organ and tissue donation. These positions are part of the national DonateLife Network which also includes State Medical Directors, hospital-based Donation Specialists and Donor Family Support Coordinators.

In 2016, 503 deceased organ donors and their families gave 1,447 Australians a new chance in life.

The number of organ donors and transplant recipients in 2016 was the highest since national records began.

Complementing the significant progress made in the clinical sector, Australia needs more active engagement and awareness within the community to increase Australia's consent rate to organ and tissue donation.

The majority of Australians are generally willing to become organ and tissue donors (69%).

Only 1-2% of people die in hospital in the specific circumstances where organ donation is possible. The circumstances in which you can become a tissue donor are less limited.

In Australia the family of every potential donor will be asked to confirm the donation decision of their loved one before donation can proceed.

The most important thing that helps a family's decision is their knowing the donation decision of their loved one.

In Australia approximately 60% of families give consent for organ and tissue donation to proceed.

The majority of Australians (60%) have now discussed their donation decision with their family.

Of the 36% of Australians that feel confident they know the donation decisions of their loved ones, 93% would uphold these decisions.

Every family who is offered the opportunity of donation is able to receive dedicated support from DonateLife Donor Family Support Coordinators, whether or not donation proceeds.

The quality of care for a potential donor at the end of his or her life, and the wishes of their family, is always the foremost consideration of those involved, and is never compromised by the potential for organ and tissue donation.

We encourage all Australians to register their donation decision on the Australian Organ Donor Register and most importantly to discuss their donation decision with family members.

For an overview of organ and tissue donation and transplantation activity in Australia view the OTA’s performance updates.

Australians' donor record in 2016

The following statistics on organ donation in Australia have been compiled from the Australian and New Zealand Organ Donor Registry (ANZOD). For more information, visit www.anzdata.org.au

503 deceased organ donors donated to 1,447 transplant recipients

The Australian donation rate was 20.8 donors per million people.

The specific state donation rates per million population (dpmp) 2015 was: